A N I M E N E B R A S K O N 2 0 1 2 Table of Contents Welcome Information 5 The Beagles 6 Convention Rules 7 Anti-Harassment Policy 9 Cosplay Props Policy 10 Guests Steve Blum 12 David Brehm 13 Richard Epcar 14 Kyle Hebert 15 Keith Silverstein 16 John Swasey 17 Stephanie Young 18 Guest DJs 19 Vendors 20 Programming Descriptions 21 Formal Ball 38 Contests Descriptions Cosplay Contest 39 - Skit Contest Rules 40 Anime Idol Contest 41 AMV Contest 42 Gaming Room 44 Staff 45 Volunteer Form 46 The Art of NebrasKon 48 Dining Guide 49 Viewing Rooms Descriptions 50 Hotel Map Back Cover November 2-4, 2012 5 Welcome to Anime NebrasKon 2012! It’s the End of the World! The convention is run from two main areas: the Registration I nformation Desk and Con Ops. Well, okay, it probably isn’t. It seemed appropriate for 2012’s theme, considering the hype, and there’s a wide variety of fiction The Registration Hours are: in anime, science fiction and fantasy that deals with the end in a variety of ways. Friday: 9am-10pm Saturday: 8am-10pm But for NebrasKon, this isn’t the end by any means. It’s a Sunday: 8am-2pm beginning. **These hours are subject to change. Here at NebrasKon, we view our community that has grown over the last nine years with the greatest admiration and pride. Our The Registration Desk acts as a help desk in addition to selling fondest memories of the convention revolve around the kind Welcome acts and spontaneous creativity of our attendees, many who have badges and t-shirts. The kind and knowledgeable registration gained knowledge, fun, and lasting friendships through NebKon. staff can answer most questions you’d have or can find some- The goal to build on this amazing community drives us to do one for you who knows the answer! If they are closed or busy bigger things every year. you can always stop by Con Ops! With over 190 events on the schedule, a packed vendors room The headquarters of Anime NebrasKon, Con Ops (Convention and artist alley with some truly unique and creative wares, a lineup of talented and prolific guests of honor to educate and Operations) is where you can find the convention leadership entertain, and a vast variety of other attractions, we’re confident overseeing the running of the event. NebrasKon strives to be that no matter who you are, there’ll be something fun at Nebras- the most attendee-oriented event we can be. Our dedica- tion Kon for you. to that goal extends to every member of our staff, and thus Con Ops is located in the thick of the action, not hidden away where We’re also proud of our staff of over a hundred individuals who are investing a tremendous amount of their free time to make it can’t be “bothered” (as if that’s what getting to interact with the event happen. The directors and members of our committees our great attendees is!). We want Con Ops to be somewhere you have been working all year, with many sleepless nights, and they can feel welcome visiting. We love hearing feedback and pride deserve a lot of praise. ourselves on our responsiveness to your concerns. If anything is wrong, if you have any reason to need to talk to staff, please With all that said, be sure to ask any of our staff if you have any questions or you’re having trouble finding anything. We’re more come to Salon C (near the hotel’s front desk and the entrance to than happy to help. At the end of the day, it’s each and every one Palace F) and we’ll do everything in our power to help you. of you that make us so great. All of that being said, please don’t treat Con Ops as a lounge. Thank you all for attending and participating, and I hope you We are a very busy staff (trying to make NebrasKon so great is a have a great time at this year’s NebrasKon! lot of work!), and our staff, volunteers, and guests are constantly Respectfully, coming and going from the room. Stop in, let us know how Becky Potter, Convention Chair you’re doing, but when you’re done, please be courteous and Dylan Nigh, Vice-Convention Chair clear space for the next person. Thanks! Anime NebrasKon November 2-4, 2012 6 7 What are the ‘Beagles’? As always, these gatherings come with a few basic rules to Rules follow. It’s nothing major, so don’t get freaked out yet! If any- A big hearty hello to all you attendees. Welcome to Anime NebrasKon one is in violation of any of these rules during the convention, 2012! My name is Nick Schneider, and I am the Director of “The Beagles.” If you need to find me, I’m the bald guy with a red goatee and please notify a staff or security member immediately, and we’ll a “The Beagles” t-shirt who stands around the registration desk. take care of it for you. Well, with the exception of the first three. Those are your responsibilities. You may be asking, “What is ‘The Beagles’?”. The Beagles is a staff group that exists solely to serve attendees. In simple terms, we’re NebrasKon’s mobile help desk. If you are experiencing an issue of Please understand that these rules are all intended to protect any kind, be it a question or concern, please bring it to us (through everyone at Anime NebrasKon. whichever medium you wish: Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, or in person)! We’ll ensure that you’re taken care of. :) 1) Eat. At least two (real) meals a day. Pocky, while delicious, is Why are we called The Beagles? You may have heard this story, but not a real meal. if not, it pertains more to my spelling mistake than anything else. It’s actually the reason we have a beagle mascot. You see, back when I was but a wee staffer (2007, I think?), NebrasKon started doing evaluations 2) Sleep. At least four hours a night. You’ll be thankful. for our panels and events. I happened to be doing one for “Bagels with Drazz (Richard Townsend)” (By the way, Bagels with Beagles on 3) Shower. Otaku funk is something to be avoided. Sunday morning! Come for the Bagels, stay for the conversation). In The Beagles my infinite wisdom and immense spelling skills, I managed to mix up the word “Bagels” with “Beagles” throughout the written form. Dylan 4) The public viewing of hentai or adult material is prohibited. Nigh, our Activities Director, decided it would be a good idea to read Dealers are permitted to sell such items so long as they are not my evaluation aloud to the whole of Con-Ops after he had discovered on open display and sales are made discreetly to persons of age. my, um, mistakes. Who should happen to be walking into Con-Ops at that very moment? Richard. He immediately grabbed a walkie-talkie We request that dealers notify us if they are planning on selling and started reading the form out again, emphasizing “Beagles” over any adult material. and over to the rest of staff. It probably didn’t help that I wrote I “loved the beagles with jalapeno cream cheese.” Our mascot’s name is “Spicy” 5) Harassment will not be tolerated. If you feel you have been for a reason. harassed, please contact security or staff members immediately. Yes, that is the grand story of how you should really have a dictionary We wish to ensure that all convention attendees feel welcome, with you at all times to make sure your word choice is correct. I’d like and we will take great care to guarantee this. to say my word choice and grammar have improved vastly since then. Right? 6) Be respectful to your fellow attendees, the guests, vendors, and staff (both convention and hotel). Everyone deserves to ANYWAY! I would like to finish off by again welcoming you all to year have a good weekend. nine, Anime NebrasKon 2012! I hope everyone has a great time at our con, and please don’t hesitate to approach us if you need anything at all! 7) All weapons sold or used as props for cosplay must be Nicholas S. Schneider cleared with and peacebound by security. Exact restrictions are Director of The Beagles referenced in our weapons policy on this page. Any brandish- ing of such gear will be taken seriously, and depending on the severity, may result in revoking your badge. Anime NebrasKon November 2-4, 2012 8 At Anime NebrasKon, we take harassment very seriously. We want our attendees 9 8) Cosplaying is not only welcome but also encouraged at An- to feel welcome, and—more importantly—safe. If you feel you have been ime NebrasKon, but please be aware that costumes will be held harassed, please contact a member of staff immediately and we will be more than happy to help you out. Remember, we cannot stop harassment unless we know it Anti-H arassment Policy to federal decency standards. is happening, and it is impossible for staff to see every single incident as it occurs. Harassment can take many forms. There isn’t enough space to list them all, but 9) No open containers of alcohol in the hallways or panel the major forms can include (but are not limited to): rooms.